Image forming apparatus, and control program and operation method thereof

ABSTRACT

An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment includes a decoloring unit for performing decoloring processing on an image formed on a sheet using decolorable material. An image forming unit forms an image on the sheet using decolorable material. A reuse tray receives a sheet provided by a user. A processor determines whether a sheet is provided on the reuse tray based on the signal from the sensor. When it is determined that a sheet is provided on the reuse tray, the decoloring unit performs the decoloring processing on the sheet, and the image forming unit forms an image on the sheet that was subject to the decoloring processing. When the image forming unit forms an image on the sheet that was subject to decoloring processing, a rewards account of the user is updated.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/476,397, filed Sep. 3, 2014, which is based upon and claims thebenefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-090570,filed Apr. 24, 2014, the entire contents of which are incorporatedherein by reference.

FIELD

Embodiments described herein relate generally to an image formingapparatus, and a control program and an operation method thereof.

BACKGROUND

Technology exists in which a recording medium (such as paper) may bereused by forming an image on the recording medium using a developerwhich may be later erased by decoloring the image. Such technology hasvalue because, for example, it is possible to reduce paper expenses whenan image forming apparatus utilizing such a technology is adopted andused. In other words, there is a clear motivation to reuse a medium onwhich an image has been decolored.

However, when the image forming apparatus is provided in a supermarket,a convenience store, or the like, and is used by a customer, there is aconcern that there may be little motivation for a customer to reuse arecording medium by decoloring the image formed thereon. As a result,there is a concern that the function of decoloring the image may notalways be effectively used.

It is desirable to motivate a user to utilize a function of decoloringthe image.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram which schematically illustrates a mechanicalstructure of a multifunction printer according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram which illustrates an electrical configurationof the multifunction printer according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an example sequence of operations using a CPUin FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments provide an image forming apparatus which may motivate a userto reuse a recording medium by decoloring an image formed thereon, whenthe user may not otherwise enjoy the value of decoloring the image, anda control program and an operation method thereof.

An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment includes adecoloring unit for performing decoloring processing on a sheet. Animage forming unit forms an image on a sheet using decolorable material.A reuse tray receives a sheet provided by a user. A processor determineswhether a sheet is provided on the reuse tray. When it is determinedthat a sheet is provided on the reuse tray, the decoloring unit performsthe decoloring processing on the sheet. The processor determines whetherthe sheet meets a predetermined usability condition. When it isdetermined that the sheet meets the predetermined condition, the imageforming unit forms an image on the sheet. When the image forming unitforms an image on the sheet that is determined to meet the predeterminedcondition, the processor updates a rewards account of the user.

An example of the following embodiment will be described in connectionwith the drawings. In addition, a multifunction printer which has afunction of an image forming apparatus will be described as an examplein the embodiment. In addition, here, the multifunction printer in theembodiment includes a printer which is provided in a store such as asupermarket or a convenience store, is managed by an employee of thestore, and is used by a customer. That is, the employee is an example ofa manager, and the customer is an example of a user. In addition, thereis a possibility that an operation may be performed by an employee onthe customer's behalf. However, it is assumed that the employee is thecustomer in such a case.

FIG. 1 is a diagram which schematically illustrates a mechanicalstructure of a multifunction printer 100 according to the embodiment.

The multifunction printer 100 includes a reuse sheet tray 1, decoloringunit 2, a scanner 3, a distribution unit 4, a reservation tray 5, a newsheet tray 6, an original document tray 7, a scanner 8, a sheetdischarging tray 9, an image forming unit 10, and a sheet dischargingtray 11.

The reuse sheet tray 1 is a tray for setting a recording medium forimage forming which is brought in by a user. The recording medium istypically paper, and has a sheet shape. The recording medium may beformed of any suitable material except for resin paper. Hereinafter, arecording medium which is set in the reuse sheet tray 1 is referred toas a reuse sheet. It is also possible to set a new sheet in the reusesheet tray 1, however, according to the embodiment, it is assumed thatall of sheets which are set in the reuse sheet tray 1 are reuse sheets.

The decoloring unit 2 performs decoloring processing with respect to areuse sheet. For example, according to the embodiment, it is assumedthat an image which is formed on the reuse sheet was formed using tonerwhich is decolorable using heat. Thus, the image formed on the sheet isdecolored by being heated. However, a decoloring method may be adifferent method which corresponds to a property of a developer which isa target. In addition, a decoloring method may be a different method inwhich a developer is removed from a reuse sheet, for example.

The scanner 3 obtains image data by reading the reuse sheet after beingsubjected to the decoloring process in the decoloring unit 2. That is,the scanner 3 is an example of a reading unit.

The distribution unit 4 sends the reuse sheet which has passed through areading position in the scanner 3 to the reservation tray 5 or to theimage forming unit 10.

The reservation tray 5 temporarily reserves the reuse sheet which issent from the distribution unit 4. The reuse sheet which is reserved inthe reservation tray 5 may be sent to the image forming unit 10 using atransportation mechanism (not illustrated).

The new sheet tray 6 is a tray for setting a non-used recording medium.Hereinafter, a recording medium which is set in the new sheet tray isreferred to as a new sheet. In addition, it is also possible to set aused sheet in the new sheet tray 6. However, according to theembodiment, it is assumed that sheets which are set in the new sheettray 6 are all new sheets. A new sheet which is set in the new sheettray 6 may be sent to the image forming unit 10 using theabove-mentioned transportation mechanism.

The original document tray 7 is a tray for setting an original documenton which an image which is a copying target is formed.

The scanner 8 reads the image which is formed on the original document,and generates image data corresponding to the image.

The sheet discharging tray 9 receives the original document which isdischarged from the scanner 8.

The image forming unit 10 takes in a reuse sheet which is sent from thedistribution unit 4 or the reservation tray 5, or a new sheet which issent from the new sheet tray 6, and forms an image on the reuse sheet orthe new sheet, based on the image data obtained by the scanner 8. Withrespect to the image forming unit 10, it is possible to use any one ofvarious well-known image forming methods such as an electro-photographicmethod, an ink jet method, a thermo-sensitive method, or a thermaltransfer method. According to the embodiment, image forming is performedusing the electro-photographic method, using toner which is decolored bythe decoloring process in the decoloring unit 2.

Specifically, the image forming unit 10 includes developing units 10K,10C, 10M, and 10Y, and a transfer belt 10B, a fixing unit 10F, and thelike.

The developing units 10K, 10C, 10M, and 10Y include a photosensitivedrum, a charging unit, an exposure unit, a developing unit, a transferunit, a static eliminator, or the like, respectively. The developingunits 10K, 10C, 10M, and 10Y form a developer image on the transfer belt10B using the well-known electro-photographic method. In addition, thedeveloping units 10K, 10C, 10M, and 10Y form developer images of eachcolor on the same area on the transfer belt 10B based on the image datawhich includes respective color data of black (B), cyan (C), magenta(M), and yellow (Y). In this manner, the developing units 10K, 10C, 10M,and 10Y form a color developer image on the transfer belt 10B. Thedeveloper image which is formed on the transfer belt 10B is transferredonto a reuse sheet or a new sheet at a transfer position T. The fixingunit 10F fixes the developer image which is transferred onto the reusesheet or the new sheet at the transfer position T using heat.

The sheet discharging tray 11 receives the reuse sheet or the new sheetwhich is discharged from the image forming unit 10.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram which illustrates an electrical configurationof the multifunction printer 100. In addition, the elements same asthose in FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals, and detaileddescriptions thereof will be omitted.

The multifunction printer 100 includes a sensor 12, transportationmechanism 13-16, a sensor 17, a transportation mechanism 18, a sensor19, a transportation mechanism 20, an image memory 21, an operationpanel 22, a reader-writer 23, a communication unit 24, an interface unit25, a central processing unit (CPU) 26, a read-only memory (ROM) 27, arandom-access memory (RAM) 28, and a system bus 29, in addition to theelements which are illustrated in FIG. 1.

The sensor 12 detects a reuse sheet which is set in the reuse sheet tray1.

The transportation mechanism 13 transports the reuse sheet which is setin the reuse sheet tray 1 to the decoloring unit 2.

The transportation mechanism 14 transports the reuse sheet that has beensubjected to the decoloring process in the decoloring unit 2 to thereservation tray 5 or the transportation mechanism 16 while causing thereuse sheet to pass through the reading position of the scanner 3 andthe distribution unit 4.

The transportation mechanism 15 transports the reuse sheet which is heldin the reservation tray 5 to the image forming unit 10.

The transportation mechanism 16 transports the reuse sheet which is sentby the transportation mechanism 14 to the image forming unit 10.

The sensor 17 detects a new sheet which is set in the new sheet tray 6.

The transportation mechanism 18 transports the new sheet which is set inthe new sheet tray 6 to the image forming unit 10.

The sensor 19 detects the original document which is set in the originaldocument tray 7.

The transportation mechanism 20 transports the original document whichis set in the original document tray 7 to the sheet discharging tray 9while causing the original document to pass through the scanner 8.

Image data which is generated by the scanner 8 is written in the imagememory 21 using the scanner 8. The image memory 21 stores the image dataat least until the image data is retrieved by the image forming unit 10.

The operation panel 22 includes an input device which accepts input ofinstructions issued by an operator, and a display device which displaysvarious information for the operator. As the operation panel 22, it ispossible to use a touch panel, for example.

In the reader-writer 23, a card which may store data is detachablyprovided. The reader-writer 23 reads data which is stored on a card, orwrites information on the card. As the reader-writer 23, it is possibleto use a well-known device which may perform reading and writing of datawith respect to a well-known data card such as an IC card, or a magneticcard.

The communication unit 24 communicates with a server 200 through acommunication network (not illustrated).

The interface unit 25 provides for exchange of data between and amongthe decoloring unit 2, the scanner 3, the distribution unit 4, thescanner 8, the image forming unit 10, the sensor 12, the transportationmechanism 13, the transportation mechanism 14, the transportationmechanism 16, the sensor 17, the transportation mechanism 18, the sensor19, the transportation mechanism 20, the image memory 21, thetransportation mechanism 15, the operation panel 22, the reader-writer23, and the communication unit 24 and the CPU 26. The interface unit 25includes a plurality of types of interface circuits which are adapted tothe decoloring unit 2, the scanner 3, the distribution unit 4, thescanner 8, the image forming unit 10, the sensor 12, the transportationmechanism 13, the transportation mechanism 14, the transportationmechanism 16, the sensor 17, the transportation mechanism 18, the sensor19, the transportation mechanism 20, the image memory 21, thetransportation mechanism 15, the operation panel 22, the reader-writer23, and the communication unit 24, respectively.

The CPU 26, the ROM 27, the RAM 28, and the system bus 29 may beincluded in a computer.

The CPU 26 corresponds to a main processing part of the computer. TheCPU 26 controls each unit so as to execute various functions of themultifunction printer 100 based on an operating system and anapplication program which are stored in the ROM 27.

The ROM 27 corresponds to a main storage portion of the computer. TheROM 27 stores the operating system and the application program. Inaddition, the ROM 27 stores data which is referred to when the CPU 26performs various processes, in some cases. At least a part of theapplication program may be stored in an auxiliary storage device such asan electric erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a hard diskdrive, or a solid state drive (SSD) in the multifunction printer 100. Inthis case, the multifunction printer 100 is transferred in a state inwhich the application program is stored in the auxiliary storage device.Alternatively, it may be a case in which the multifunction printer 100is transferred in a state in which the application program is not storedin the auxiliary storage device. In such a case, the application programis transferred by being recorded in a removable recording medium such asa magnetic disc, a magneto-optical disc, an optical disc, and asemiconductor memory, or is transferred through a network, and theapplication program is written in the auxiliary storage device of themultifunction printer 100 which is separately transferred.

The RAM 28 corresponds to the main storage portion of the computer. TheRAM 28 stores data which is referred to when the CPU 26 performs variousprocesses. In addition, the RAM 28 stores data which is temporarily usedwhen the CPU 26 performs various processes, and is used as a so-calledwork area.

The system bus 29 includes an address bus, a data bus, and the like, andconnects the CPU 26, the ROM 27, the RAM 28, and the interface unit 25so as to exchange data.

For the sensors 12, 17, and 19, it is possible to use a well-knownsensor which monitors a reflection state of light which changes inaccordance with a presence or absence of a recording medium, or whichmonitors a position of a mover which is displaced due to the weight of arecording medium, or the like.

For the transportation mechanisms 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, and 20, it ispossible to use a well-known mechanism which includes a guide member, aroller, a motor, and the like. These are, for example, mechanisms whichconvey a recording medium using a roller rotated by a motor, and set amovement path of the recording medium using a guide member.

Subsequently, operations of the multifunction printer 100 which isconfigured as described above will be described.

When the multifunction printer 100 is in a normal operation state, theCPU 26 starts control processing according to a control program which isone of the application programs which are stored in the ROM 27. Inaddition, contents of the control processing which will be describedbelow is an example, and it is possible to appropriately use variousprocesses which may obtain the same result.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an example sequence of operations of thecontrol processing using the CPU 26.

The CPU 26 in Act 1 confirms whether the original document is set in theoriginal document tray 7. Specifically, the CPU 26 confirms whether theoriginal document is detected by the sensor 19. The CPU 26 determines NOwhen the original document is not detected by the sensor 19, and repeatsAct 1. In this manner, the CPU 26 waits for the original document to beset in the original document tray 7 in Act 1.

When a customer wants to copy the original document using themultifunction printer 100, the customer sets the original document whichis a copying target in the original document tray 7. At this time, ifthe customer is a member of a point service, the customer presents hisID card to the reader-writer 23. In addition, when the original documentis detected by the sensor 19 when being set in the original documenttray 7, the CPU 26 determines YES in Act 1, and the process proceeds toAct 2.

The CPU 26 confirms whether the customer desires to use a reuse sheet inAct 2. Specifically, the CPU 26 prompts the customer to set a reusesheet, and causes the operation panel 22 to display an image with abutton for the customer to declare his or her intention with respect tousing the reuse sheet. In addition, the CPU 26 determines YES accordingto a detection of the reuse sheet using the sensor 12, before adetection of a touch of the button by the operation panel 22, and theprocess proceeds to Act 3. In this manner, the CPU 26 functions as afirst determination unit by executing the control program.

The CPU 26 starts the decoloring process with respect to the reuse sheetin Act 3. Specifically, the CPU 26 causes one sheet of the reuse sheetwhich is set in the reuse sheet tray 1 to be transported to thedecoloring unit 2 using the transportation mechanism 13, and performsthe decoloring process with respect to the reuse sheet using thedecoloring unit 2. In this manner, the CPU 26 functions as a firstcontrol unit by executing the control program.

The CPU 26 starts reading the reuse sheet in Act 4. Specifically, theCPU 26 transports the reuse sheet which is discharged from thedecoloring unit 2 using the transportation mechanism 14, and performsreading of an image which is formed on the reuse sheet using the scanner3.

The CPU 26 analyzes image data which is output from the scanner 3, andconfirms whether the reuse sheet which has been subjected to thedecoloring process meets usable conditions in Act 5. As an example, theCPU 26 performs binarization with respect to the image data using apredetermined threshold value, and obtains a rate of black pixels amongall of pixels included in the image data. The CPU then determines thatthe reuse sheet meets the usable conditions if the rate is equal to orsmaller than a predetermined reference value, and if not, the CPUdetermines that the reuse sheet does not meet the usable conditions. Inthis manner, the CPU 26 functions as a second determination unit byexecuting the control program. The above described threshold value andthe reference value may be arbitrarily set by a designer of themultifunction printer 100. In addition, the above described thresholdvalue and the reference value may be set to values which are desired byan employee or a customer according to the operation in the operationpanel 22, or the like, by the CPU 26. In addition, when the CPU 26determines NO since the reuse sheet does not meet the usable conditions,the process proceeds to Act 6.

The CPU 26 transports the reuse sheet which passed through the readingposition of the scanner 3 to the reservation tray 5 in Act 6.Specifically, the CPU 26 causes the distribution unit 4 to select thereservation tray 5, and causes the transportation mechanism 14 totransport the reuse sheet to the reservation tray 5. In addition, theCPU 26 returns to the process in Act 2.

On the other hand, when the CPU 26 determines YES in Act 5, i.e., thereuse sheet which has been subjected to the decoloring process meets theusable conditions, the process proceeds to Act 7.

The CPU 26 starts a process of copying one sheet of the originaldocuments which are set in the original document tray 7 on the reusesheet which has been subjected to the decoloring process in Act 7.Specifically, the CPU 26 causes the distribution unit 4 to select thetransportation mechanism 16, and sends the reuse sheet to the imageforming unit 10 using the transportation mechanisms 14 and 16. The CPU26 sends the one original document which is set in the original documenttray 7 to the scanner 8 using the transportation mechanism 20 inparallel to the above described operation, and causes the scanner 8 toread the image which is formed on the original document. The image datawhich is output from the scanner 8 is stored in the image memory 21. TheCPU controls the image forming unit 10 so that an image whichcorresponds to the image data is formed on the reuse sheet which is sentusing the transportation mechanism 16. In this manner, the CPU 26functions as a second control unit by executing the control program. Thereuse sheet which is discharged from the image forming unit 10, that is,the reuse sheet with the image now formed thereon, is discharged to thesheet discharging tray 11. In addition, the original document whichpassed through the scanner 8 is discharged to the sheet discharging tray9.

Although it is not illustrated, the CPU 26 sets a variable P to 0immediately after the start of the control processing. The CPU 26 adds apredetermined point value P1 to a variable P in Act 8 (i.e., after theimage is formed in Act 7). The CPU 26 returns to a process in Act 12thereafter. The point P1 may be an arbitrary value. For example, thepoint value P1 may be set by an employee according to an operation inthe operation panel 22, or the like.

Meanwhile, in Act 2, the CPU 26 determines NO according to a detectionof a touch of the button in the operation panel 22 (not according to adetection of the reuse sheet by the sensor 12), and the process proceedsto Act 9.

The CPU 26 confirms whether a new sheet is set in the new sheet tray 6in Act 9. Specifically, the CPU 26 confirms whether the new sheet isdetected using the sensor 17. In this manner, the CPU 26 functions as athird determination unit by executing the control program. The CPU 26determines NO when the new sheet is not detected by the sensor 17, andthe process in Act 9 is repeated. In this manner, in Act 9, the CPU 26waits for the new sheet to be set in the new sheet tray 6. When it isconfirmed that the new sheet is set, the CPU 26 determines YES in Act 9,and the process proceeds to Act 10.

The CPU 26 starts a process of copying images on one sheet of theoriginal documents which are set in the original document tray 7 ontothe new sheet in Act 10. Specifically, the CPU 26 sends one new sheetwhich is set in the new sheet tray 6 to the image forming unit 10 usingthe transportation mechanism 18. The CPU 26 sends one sheet of originaldocuments which are set in the original document tray 7 to the scanner 8using the transportation mechanism 20 (similar to the above describedoperation) and causes the scanner 8 to perform reading of an image whichis formed on the original document. Image data which is output from thescanner 8 is stored in the image memory 21, and the image forming unit10 is controlled so that an image is formed on the new sheet based onthe image data. The new sheet which is discharged from the image formingunit 10, that is, the new sheet having the image formed thereon, isdischarged to the sheet discharging tray 11.

The CPU 26 adds a predetermined point value P2 to the variable P in Act11. In addition, the CPU 26 proceeds to a process in Act 12 thereafter.The point P2 may be an arbitrary value. For example, the point value P2may be set by an employee according to an operation in the operationpanel 22, or the like. Usually, the point value P1 is larger than thepoint value P2. For example, the point value P2 may be “0”. As anotherexample, the point value P1 may be set to “2”, and the point value P2may be set to “1.”

Meanwhile, after changing the variable P in Act 8 or Act 11, the CPU 26proceeds to Act 12 in both cases.

The CPU 26 confirms whether a subsequent original document is set in theoriginal document tray 7 in Act 12. The CPU 26 determines YES when theoriginal document is detected by the sensor 19, and the process returnsto Act 2. That is, the CPU 26 repeats the same processes as those whichare described above in order to copy the subsequent original document.However, if a reuse sheet is detected by the sensor 12 when Act 2 isexecuted again, the CPU 26 may determine YES in Act 2 without causingthe operation panel 22 to display an image which prompts a customer toset the reuse sheet. In addition, the CPU 26 determines NO in Act 12when the copying process of all the original documents which are set inthe original document tray 7 is ended, and the original document is notdetected by the sensor 19. When the CPU determines NO in Act 12, theprocess proceeds to Act 13.

The CPU 26 confirms whether a card is set in the reader-writer 23 in Act13. The process is executed, for example, after inquiring whether thecard is set in the reader-writer 23, and a response from thereader-writer 23 to the inquiry is confirmed. The reader-writer 23includes a sensor for detecting that a card is set, and sends adetection result in the sensor to the CPU 26 as the response to theabove described inquiry. In addition, the CPU 26 determines YES in Act13 when the card (ID card which is provided by customer as describedabove) is detected by the reader-writer 23, and the process proceeds toAct 14.

The CPU 26 confirms the customer in Act 14. Specifically, the CPU 26obtains identification information which is stored in the ID card fromthe reader-writer 23 by causing the reader-writer 23 to read theidentification information. In this manner, the CPU 26 functions as anobtaining unit by executing the control program. In addition, the CPU 26confirms whether the identification information is correlated with aperson who is a target for the point service by making an inquiry to theserver 200, for example.

The CPU 26 confirms whether the customer is the person who is the targetfor the point service in Act 15. In addition, the CPU 26 determines YESwhen the customer is the target for the point service, and the processproceeds to Act 16.

The CPU 26 updates a balance in a point account of the customer in Act16. Specifically, the CPU 26 causes the reader-writer 23 to read balanceinformation which is stored in the ID card, and obtains the balanceinformation from the reader-writer 23. In addition, the CPU 26 generatesnew balance information by adding the variable P to a balance which isdenoted by the balance information, and instructs the reader-writer 23to write the new balance information to the ID card. The reader-writer23 overwrites the above described new balance information on the ID cardby receiving the instruction. The process of giving points is an exampleof a process which gives a user a value. In this manner, the CPU 26functions as a processing unit by executing the control program.

The CPU 26 proceeds to Act 17 thereafter. In addition, the CPU 26determines NO in Act 13 when the card is not detected by thereader-writer 23, and the process proceeds to Act 17 by skipping Acts 14to 16. In addition, the CPU 26 determines NO in Act 15 when the customeris not the target for the point service, and the process proceeds to Act17 by skipping Act 16.

The CPU 26 confirms whether there is a reserved sheet in Act 17.Specifically, the CPU 26 determines YES, i.e., that there is a reservedsheet, when Act 6 is executed even once during the current controlprocessing, and the process proceeds to Act 18. That is, the reservedsheet is a reuse sheet which is discharged to the reservation tray 5. Inaddition, the CPU 26 counts the number of execution times of Act 6 asthe number of reserved sheets. The CPU 26 may also confirm whether thereis a reserved sheet based on an output of a sensor by providing thesensor for detecting the reserved sheet which is reserved in thereservation tray 5. In this case, counting of the number of executiontimes of Act 6 may be omitted.

The CPU 26 controls the transportation mechanism 15 and the imageforming unit 10 so that all of the reserved sheets are discharged to thesheet discharging tray 11 in Act 18. At this time, the image formingunit 10 operates so that the reserved sheets which are transported usingthe transportation mechanism 15 are discharged to the sheet dischargingtray 11 by causing the sheets to simply pass through. In addition, theCPU 26 ends the current control processing when all of the reservedsheets are discharged. In addition, the CPU 26 determines NO in Act 17when Act 6 is not executed even once during the current controlprocessing, and ends the current control processing by skipping Act 18.

As described above, when copying is performed using the multifunctionprinter 100, the point value P1 per one sheet is added when a reusesheet is used, and the point value P2 per one sheet is added when a newsheet is used with respect to a balance of a point account of acustomer, respectively. Accordingly, it is possible to provide acustomer with a value from the use of a reuse sheet by setting the pointP1 to a value which is larger than the point P2 as described above, andto motivate the customer to bring in a reuse sheet. Likewise, when theamount of reuse sheets which are brought in by customers increases, itis possible for a store to make a profit, since the use of new sheetsdecreases, and the store may reduce cost for purchasing new sheets.

The image forming unit 10 is a unit which forms an image using theelectro-photographic method, using toner which is decolored due to thedecoloring process in the decoloring unit 2. For this reason, the copiedoriginal document which is copied using the multifunction printer 100may be used as a reuse sheet when performing new copying thereafter.Accordingly, repeated copying using the multifunction printer 100 isencouraged, and it is possible to promote a repeated use of themultifunction printer 100, and further promote repeated visits fromcustomers.

There is no guarantee that the decoloring unit 2 may decolor all ofimages which are formed on a reuse sheet, and when copying is performedon a reuse sheet on which decoloring is not possible, or on which is animage insufficiently decolored, there is a concern that a customer'sexpectations may not be achieved. It may be the responsibility of thecustomer since the customer brings in the reuse sheet. However, when theresponsibility of whether the reuse sheet may be decolored is with thecustomer, the burden on the customer is big, and there is a concern thatan active use of the multifunction printer 100 may be disturbed.However, the multifunction printer 100 confirms whether the reuse sheetafter being subjected to decoloring in the decoloring unit 2 is in astate in which the reuse sheet may endure the second image forming, byanalyzing image data which is read using the scanner 3. In addition, inthe multifunction printer 100, the reuse sheet is used in copying onlywhen the reuse sheet is in such a state. In this manner, according tothe multifunction printer 100, it is possible to output the copiedoriginal document which is suitable for an object of a customer usingonly a reuse sheet which is sufficiently decolored without placingresponsibility on the customer of whether the reuse sheet may bedecolored.

According to the embodiment, decoloring is mainly assumed as the methodof decoloring. In decoloring, an image is not viewed at first sight dueto an decoloring process, however, since a developer is fixed to asheet, it is not impossible to visualize the decolored image using someprocess. According to the multifunction printer 100, a reuse sheet whichis not used in copying, though it is subjected to the decoloringprocess, is returned to a customer by being discharged to the sheetdischarging tray 11. For this reason, it is possible to prevent a sheeton which an image is formed with a possibility of being viewed, asdescribed above, from being passed into another customer's hand.

The embodiment maybe modified to various examples as follows.

An image which is formed on a reuse sheet may be read before beingdecolored by adding a transportation mechanism which sends the reusesheet which passed through the scanner 3 to the decoloring unit 2,adding a new scanner which reads an image on the reuse sheet which issent to the decoloring unit 2 from the reuse sheet tray 1, or the like.In addition, it is possible to store a decolored image when writingimage data obtained through a reading process in a portable recordingmedium such as a universal serial bus (USB) memory, is added, forexample.

It is also possible to configure the multifunction printer 100 bydividing the printer into a plurality of units including the decoloringunit 2, and a unit including the image forming unit 10.

The scanner 8 may be shared in reading of the original document and inreading of a reuse sheet by providing a transportation mechanism whichtransports a reuse sheet after being subjected to the decoloring processin the decoloring unit 2 to the scanner 8, and a transportationmechanism which transports the reuse sheet which passed through thescanner 8 to the distribution unit 4 instead of the transportationmechanism 14 and the scanner 3.

A balance of a point account may be managed in the server 200, or thelike, instead of storing the balance of the point account in an ID card.In this case, the CPU 26 asks the server 200, or the like, to update abalance in Act 16.

Points may be awarded, for example, when printing data that was storedin a recording medium brought in by a customer, data stored in themultifunction printer 100, data which is provided from the server 200,or the like, in the image forming unit 10.

Values provided to a user may be substituted by various processes whichare different from giving points, such as a discount for purchasinggoods or a copying service which is provided using the multifunctionprinter 100.

While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments havebeen presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit thescope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described hereinmay be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, variousomissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodimentsdescribed herein maybe made without departing from the spirit of theinventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intendedto cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope andspirit of the inventions.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image forming apparatus comprising: adecoloring unit configured to perform decoloring processing on an imageformed on a sheet using decolorable material; an image forming unitconfigured to form an image on a sheet using decolorable material; areuse tray configured to receive a sheet provided by a user; a sensorconfigured to provide a signal regarding whether a sheet is provided onthe reuse tray; and a processor configured to perform processing to:determine whether a sheet is provided on the reuse tray based on thesignal from the sensor, when it is determined that a sheet is providedon the reuse tray, control the decoloring unit to perform the decoloringprocessing on the sheet, control the image forming unit to form an imageon the sheet that was subject to the decoloring processing, and when theimage forming unit forms an image on the sheet that was subject todecoloring processing, update a rewards account of the user.
 2. Theapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor is furtherconfigured to perform processing to obtain identification information ofthe user, locate the rewards account of the user using theidentification information, and increase a rewards balance maintained inthe account by a predetermined amount.
 3. The apparatus according toclaim 1, further comprising: a reading unit configured to generate imagedata by reading an image which is formed on a sheet, wherein theprocessor is further configured to perform processing to determinewhether the sheet is reusable based on image data which is obtained bythe reading unit from the sheet that has been subjected to thedecoloring processing in the decoloring unit.
 4. The apparatus accordingto claim 3, wherein the image forming unit forms the image on the sheetusing image data which is obtained by the reading unit from an originalsheet provided by the user.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 1,further comprising: a new sheet tray configured to receive a sheetprovided by an individual different from the user; and a new sheetsensor configured to provide a signal regarding whether a sheet isprovided on the new sheet tray, wherein the processor is furtherconfigured to perform processing to: determine whether a sheet isprovided on the new sheet tray based on the signal from the new sheetsensor, and when it is determined that a sheet is not provided on thereuse tray, and when it is determined that a sheet is provided on thenew sheet tray, control the image forming unit to form an image on thesheet provided on the new sheet tray.
 6. The apparatus according toclaim 5, wherein: when the image forming unit forms an image on thesheet provided on the new sheet tray, the processor performs processingto decrease a rewards balance maintained in the account by apredetermined amount.
 7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein therewards account of the user is updated by adding a discount coupon forpurchasing goods or services.
 8. An image forming system comprising: animage processing device including: a reuse tray configured to receive asheet provided by a user, a decoloring unit configured to performdecoloring processing on an image formed of decolorable material on thesheet provided by the user, and an image forming unit configured to forman image using decolorable material on the sheet provided by the userafter the sheet is subject to the decoloring processing; and a serverthat updates a rewards account of the user when the image forming unitforms an image on the sheet provided by the user.
 9. The systemaccording to claim 8, wherein the server is further configured toreceive identification information of the user, locate the rewardsaccount of the user using the identification information, and increase arewards balance maintained in the account by a predetermined amount. 10.The system according to claim 1, wherein the image processing devicefurther includes: a reading unit configured to generate image data byreading an image which is formed on the sheet, and a processorconfigured to determine whether the sheet is reusable based on imagedata which is obtained by the reading unit from the sheet that has beensubjected to the decoloring processing in the decoloring unit.
 11. Thesystem according to claim 10, wherein the image forming unit forms theimage on the sheet using image data which is obtained by the readingunit from an original sheet provided by the user.
 12. The systemaccording to claim 8, wherein the image processing device furtherincludes: a new sheet tray configured to receive a sheet provided by anindividual different from the user, and a new sheet sensor configured toprovide a signal regarding whether a sheet is provided on the new sheettray, and a processor configured to determine whether a sheet isprovided on the new sheet tray based on the signal from the new sheetsensor; and when the processor determines that a sheet is not providedon the reuse tray, and that a sheet is provided on the new sheet tray,the image forming unit forms an image on the sheet provided on the newsheet tray.
 13. The system according to claim 12, wherein: when theimage forming unit forms an image on the sheet provided on the new sheettray, the server decreases a rewards balance maintained in the accountby a predetermined amount.
 14. The system according to claim 8, whereinthe rewards account of the user is updated by adding a discount couponfor purchasing goods or services.
 16. A method for providing imageforming services to a user of an image forming apparatus having adecoloring unit, an image forming unit, a reuse tray and a sensorconfigured to provide a signal regarding whether a sheet is provided onthe reuse tray, the method comprising the steps of: determining whethera sheet is provided on the reuse tray based on the signal from thesensor; when it is determined that a sheet is provided on the reusetray, controlling the decoloring unit to perform the decoloringprocessing on the sheet; controlling the image forming unit to form animage on the sheet that was subject to the decoloring processing; andwhen the image forming unit forms an image on the sheet that was subjectto the decoloring processing, updating a rewards account of the user.16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising the step of:obtaining identification information of the user: locating the rewardsaccount of the user using the identification information; and increasinga rewards balance maintained in the account by a predetermined amount.17. The method according to claim 15, further comprising: determiningwhether the sheet is reusable based on image data which is obtained by areading unit of the image forming apparatus which generates image datafrom the sheet that has been subjected to the decoloring processing inthe decoloring unit.
 18. The method according to claim 17, wherein theimage forming apparatus further includes a new sheet tray and a newsheet sensor configured to provide a signal regarding whether a sheet isprovided on the new sheet tray and the method further comprises thesteps of: determining whether a sheet is provided on the new sheet traybased on the signal from a new sheet sensor; and when it is determinedthat a sheet is not provided on the reuse tray, and when it isdetermined that a sheet is provided on the new sheet tray, controllingthe image forming unit to form an image on the sheet provided on the newsheet tray.
 19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising thestep of: when the image forming unit forms an image on the sheetprovided on the new sheet tray, decreasing a rewards balance maintainedin the account by a predetermined amount when the image forming unitforms an image on the sheet provided on the new sheet tray.
 20. Themethod according to claim 15, wherein the rewards account of the user isupdated by adding a discount coupon for purchasing goods or services.